Many Overweight Teens Don't Think They Are

Study Finds 1 in 3 Don't Believe They're Overweight or Obese; Dr. Jennifer Ashton Says Incorrect View Can Hinder Treatment

(CBS)  Many overweight teens don't think they are, according to an article in The Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.

Referring to the February article, "Where Perception Meets Reality: Self-Perception of Weight in Overweight Adolescents," CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said one in three children surveyed don't consider themselves overweight or obese.

Ashton said this altered perception becomes a problem because you can't begin to treat issues unless one identifies that there is a problem in the first place.

If you are a parent of an overweight or obese child, Ashton suggested these tips to help children strive for good health:

• Don’t ignore weight problems - Don't focus on the weight. Don't focus on the number on the scale.
• Focus on good health - Tell them you want to be as healthy on the inside as on the outside.
• Talk to a health professional - A nutritionist, a pediatrician, a doctor, who knows about metabolic issues, weight and the social issues of teens.

Ashton said you can't wait on this issue, referring to a another study in the February issue of Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.

"It will become a problem as they get to be adults," she said. "...As parents, when you talk about how to steer your child into good health habits, another study showed 40 percent of teenagers who had good habits as children were less likely to be obese as teenagers and then as adults."

Ashton said some of the habits mentioned in the study, such as eating dinner together as a family, getting regular sleep and spending less time in front of screens, should be part of regular household routines.

Ashton said, "(These habits) should start as early as possible, and adults should follow the same guidelines."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 percent of teens between the ages of 12 and 19 are obese.

[emh1701]

We need to cut out the chemicals in our food and pollution in general. The unnatural things around us are a huge part of the issue. There is a reason why people often lose weight when they go organic. It's the chemicals.

Unfortunately, this can be cost prohibitive for many people. The corporations need to stop putting crap in our food.

[barbaram99]

I am 55. In 70s I herd the term. me,mysels and I and having been taught I comes lastIt was not part of my up bringing..We were taught ours come before self. Most on the board are younger and yet taught they come first..In school girls went fisrt as manners said so. We never dared talk back to our elders.So to be careful not to hurt the person, We are careful with not bring attn to the issue..It is a fact overweight children are made fun of etc. It is not sense to nag at them over their weight..There has to be a reason they are over weight. It is not just a matter of them over eating. Are they poor,are they phy able to move their body,are they on medications that cause weight gain. Is their a history of such in their family. Making fun of them is not helpping them..Member too the genders store fat differently based on if they are male and female..I knew a 10 years in the 60s who was over weight.. The child had a medical issue. So the boy had to sit at the teachers table as he would steal food from our trays. We never gave him food from our trays. We had recess. Children know they are over weight..The ones that can see themselves.

[nasadawg]

We just spent three decades tell people not to worry about weight, that everone is good. We didn't want to hurt anyones feels. We worried so much about feelings...... Now what, tell the same people they are fat. Control what they eat or don't eat. Just more of the me me me generation. Don't just pick on the kids and teenagers. You at yourself in the mirror. If the government really want to help. TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS IN OUR FOOD. Cut out the corn by-products.

[barbaram99]

The healthly foods are priced shy high..APart of the problem is the food prices..i have this problem as an older person..I am 160..Too heavy for me..My friend trated me to eat more than I do..He would perfer I eat a man size meal..I am female..I am legally blind..I have always eaten small meals from the time I was small. I can only afford the cheapest..That means a TV dinner microwaved..I am not a bloody man..They have to know they are heavy as they can see their person..Years ago they used the Clean yer plate as there are children that have no food line.we were told growing up..The problem is they are are given bigger helpping today. Years ago we were taught to share..That's right. Yet,there are places that will not allow it..They want to make money and will call the cops if we share food with table mate..I rearly go to fast food eaterys..I can only afford one meal and I will not eat in frort of my friend that has nothing. It is bloody rude. I go without..It is the greed..They are in business to make money..

[ellensmithee]

Sounds like a whole lot of irresponsible parents out there. Do your BMI calculation, and you'll find out if you're fat or not. If the mirror can't tell you, a hardcore factual number ought to.

This is proof people can convince themselves of anything. Stop feeding your fat faces, fatties!

[amerilatino]

To all you fat boys out there, get yourself a weight set, an instruction book, close the door to your room and go at it every day. Add a couple of pounds every week, you've got something going for you, it's called body mass, and you will bulk up solid faster than all those skinny jerks who are always in your face at school. Don't talk about it. In a year, if you stuck to it, you'll probably be at least twice as strong as any other kid in your grade (unless he's doing the same thing.) When you know you can lift him,(make sure he is at least as tall as you) next time the kid who gets in your face the most bugs you, **** back and sock him in the middle of his face as hard as you can, all hell will break loose and the principal will make a stink, ride it out, you're a minor and it won't mean squat later in life, when the dust settles, guess what? It suddenly won't really matter how chubby you are anymore. Worked for me.

[antoniof123]

The real trick to losing weight is shut your mouth!

[olyboy]

There has been a push for the "everybody gets a trophy" approach in our country for the last thirty years. This is just the harvest. You cannot teach people that they are succeeding regardless of their performance and expect them to realize when they are failing, even if it is failing to keep themselves healthy -- whether its too heavy or too skinny. Reward failure and it becomes the goal.

[formrusmcsgt]

by AlamoDoc February 8, 2010 10:24 PM EST
You put it a little too bluntly, but I can see you logic.
---
I am not known to sugar-coat.....

[Dgunner]

We are famous for killing our babies , babying our killers and feeding our children to death. We ignore social issues to run to foreign countries and spread wealth that many claim didnt exist until the earthquake hit . Over feeding your children in some states is considered child abuse.When these young obese children grow up and begin to regret thier parents and fall into depression and kill them for ruining thier life.Then we write another law and add a wing to the prison.